ISLAMABAD, Pakistan-Telenor Pakistan opened its GSM mobile network for commercial service this week.
Telenor won a license to build and operate a mobile network in Pakistan in April 2004. The network is Telenor’s only sole-owner mobile operation outside Norway.
The network initially covers close to 20 million people in Rawalpindi, Islamabad and Karachi. By the end of March, coverage will be extended to include 32 million people. Pakistan has a population of 150 million people, and the country’s mobile penetration is close to 6 percent.
“We are pleased to be in operation at this early date and plan to maintain a high tempo as we remain committed to providing coverage to 70 percent of Pakistan’s population three years from now,” said Telenor Chief Executive Officer Jon Fredrik Baksaas. “Today, the mobile penetration in Pakistan is low. We expect that the positive economic development that the country is undergoing at the moment will secure strong growth in the Pakistani mobile market in coming years, and we aim to be part of that growth.”
Telenor was one of two bidders to secure a mobile license in Pakistan in 2004, and with these two new additions, Pakistan now counts six mobile operators. Telenor paid $291 million for the license and plans to invest an estimated $1 billion over a period of six to eight years.
